5 Answers

I've looked for this parameter / setting too but have never found it.

The only thing I've ever found is the "Check Mail Now" link in the Gmail Settings --> Accounts page (in the "Get mail from other accounts" section). Unfortunately, you still have to manually click those links each time.

@Spargett -- I can't speak for alabare, but in my case -- I work on three different machines in the course of any given day, and I find it more convenient to have everything on the web and accessible from any machine.